Burton Green pupils benefit from speed reduction

Burton Green is seeing safety results from a 20 miles per hour speed limit outside its school - despite seeing drivers speeding up once they are free of restrictions.

The village has already seen benefits from the advisory speed reduction along Hobb Lane to slow drivers from 40mph as they pass the school entrance. Warwickshire County Councillors are due to discuss a report on the zone which is in operation at either end of the school day.

The strange thing is speed has slightly increased at either end, so perhaps people are making a point of being outside the slower zone

John Whitehouse

The change includes flashing lights and boards advising of the proposed drop, and has already proved to be effective in its first few months.

But Cllr John Whitehouse (Lib Dem, Abbey) said while speeds have significantly reduced outside the school entrance, drivers are speeding up once they leave the target zone.

“As a pilot scheme I think this has been a success,” he said. “It is part of an overall reduction in Burton Green and people seem to be responding well.

“The strange thing is speed has slightly increased at either end, so perhaps people are making a point of being outside the slower zone.”

The project was funded with a £25,000 cash boost from the county council and comes as part of a wider move to bring speed down along school routes.

Councillors from all parties will now work to identify further sites which may benefit from changes, speed reduction zones or new crossings for children and parents.

Cllr Whitehouse said areas in Kenilworth may be considered, including along Leyes Lane and around busy walking routes.

The report on Burton Green will be considered by the Overview and Scrutiny Committee next week.